Misunderstood Defender

MISUNDERSTOOD  DEFENDER

In Baggage burdens. defender of the guilty could be ascribed to Alice Rezley.   Jill could not understand how Alice, her mother, could shield her father, Frank Rezley, from criticism for his violent behavior. Josey, Alice’s mother, could believe that Alice would put up with Frank’s drinking. Frank couldn’t believe that Alice would stand up for their disobedient daughters.  

In preserving peace in her home Alice, by protecting Frank, ended up alienating herself from her mother. What weakness did Alice see in Frank that motivated her to choose to continue to support him? The only weakness that Josey  could see is that’s Frank succumbed to the temptation of alcohol. That warranted no shielding.

“Why don’t you leave him?” was the frustrated plea of Jill after having witnessed that her father once again broke his promise not to drink. The psychological damage that Frank was doing to Jill would have been an acceptable reason for Alice to kick Frank out of the house. Could the potential trials of a single mother in the 1970's explain why Alice remained with her marital partner?

“How can you protect those kids?” Frank couldn’t believe that his wife would cover for his daughters who frequently didn’t pick up after themselves, were mouthy or wanted to spend money extravagantly. Why did Frank always have to be the disciplinarian? His father wouldn’t put up with it, and Frank wouldn’t either.

Could love for her husband explain why Alice called for respect from her children for their father? Jill would question how she could love such a sinner.  Josey would wonder what kind of love could continually forgive such a faulty man. 

Love undisciplined kids? That would be hard for Frank to grasp.

In the end Kathy, Jill’s sister, discovers and understands her mother’s actions. While Kathy’s explanation helps end Jill’s ambivalent feelings toward her mother, Jill isn’t completely ready to see her father in a new light.

How can one love or forgive a self-centered, hurtful person? Who can do it?

Do you know of one who loved or forgave a despicable person?

The character, Julie, in Baggage burdens fulfills two critical roles in the novel––a vital connection to Jill’s past and a supportive companion for Jill.  The difficulty of her roles is explored in my next blog.